Endometrial cancer—is our knowledge changing?

Abstract

In developed countries, endometrial cancer (EC) is the most frequent gynecologic malignancy in postmenopausal women. At the same time, EC has become one of the most common cancers in numerous developing countries, probably influenced by global epidemic of obesity. The majority of patients have lowgrade endometrioid cancer with a high 5-year survival rate, but with high-risk EC, the survival rates are still rather low. However, despite intensive research in last decades, our knowledge of the mechanisms, risk factors, diagnosis and treatment have not significantly improved. The standard treatment of all types of EC is still a traditional combination of surgery, irradiation and/or chemotherapy, despite the fact that each of these options is not without having some negative side effects. Despite the fact that on the molecular level, EC is relatively well-studied, but the efforts to transform these findings into either diagnosis or therapies of EC remain elusive. In addition, some research into risk factors involved in the development or progression of EC seems to be more a fishing expedition than a well thought-out approach. The purpose of this review is to summarize the most recent developments in the search for biomarkers and prognostic markers and to discuss the progress in EC treatment.

Translational molecular research has established a novel clinical approach in endometrial cancer patients

“…Combining the standard approach, based mainly on histopathological features, with new molecular technologies of EC profiling translates this growing knowledge into novel diagnostic and therapeutic approach, resulting in well-tailored personalized management of this cancer. 3,4…”

Knockdown of FAM83D inhibits endometrial cancer cell viability and induces autophagy via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR axis

“…In China, the number of patients dying from EC is on the rise, and EC is now the second largest gynecological malignancy to cervical cancer [2]. The EC 5-year survival rate of patients after surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy is about 80% [3]. However, the prognosis of patients with advanced EC remains poor [4,5].…”

Fertility-Sparing Strategies for Early-Stage Endometrial Cancer: Stepping towards Precision Medicine Based on the Molecular Fingerprint

“…Indeed, women with endometrial cancer are usually affected by the type I endometrioid subtype, which is often estrogen dependent and low-grade, and has a better prognosis compared with type II. The type II endometrial cancer is, conversely, often estrogen-independent, of non-endometrioid histology, and myometrial-invasive [10]. From an epidemiological perspective, the main risk factors among women with the type I endometrioid subtype are obesity, anovulation, nulliparity, and hypoestrogenism [11].…”